Automatic regulator for electric-light systems



(No Model) W. L. VOELKER.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR ELEGTRIO LIGHTSYSTBMS. No. 251,748. Patented 1883,1882.

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WILLIAM L. VOELKER, OF MORTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC-LIGHT SYSTEMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 251,748, dated January 3, 1862 Application filed August 5, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM L. VOELKER, of Morton, in the county ofDelawareand State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Regulators for Electric-Light Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdraw ing and the letters marked thereon.

My invention relates to systems of electrical supply from dynamo-electric generators.

The objectof my invention isnotonly to regulate or adjust the current-strength upon the main line to the number of lamps upon the main circuit, but to simultaneously provide means whereby the surplus electric energy over and above that necessary to work the number of lamps or other apparatus for the time being in circuit properly may be automatically diverted and stored for subsequent use.

My invention consists in a novel method of equalizing the current upon the main circuit of an electric generator and preventing Waste of electric energy, and in automatically shunting the main current through a secondary battery or batteries-in proportions to correspond with the increase of current-strength in the main circuit; and my invention involves a certain new means of compensating for vaxiations of current-strength, and also certain novel and useful combinations or arrangements of parts and peculiarities of construction and operation, all of which will be hereinafter first fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

The drawing piesented herewith represents my improved device and the mode of applying the same.

It is a well-known fact in electrical engineering that when one or more arc-lamps are thrown out of circuit of a series of lamps the resistance decreases and the current-strength increases; and should the resistance fall too low there is occasioned a great waste of electric energy. Not only is this the case, but there is great danger of deranging the operation of the lamps, producing an abnormal length of the are, &c., and in the case of incandescent lamps destroying the incandescent strip or filament.

A is a dynamo-electric machine of any style,

the same being simply introduced to illustrate the application of my invention. It is connected by the conductor A with a number of arc-lamps, B, said lamps being arranged in series. A is the conductor passing from the lamps to the parts of my device, completing the circuit to the dynamo-machine.

O is a regulator, consisting of a strip of steel, brass, or other metal whose coefficient of expansion is high when under the influence of heat. This strip of metal is attached to a drum, 0, over which it is partially wound, the length of the strip being regulated by means of the pinion D and endless screw D, bearing button D This device is attached to a strip of metal, E, to which is united the connection with the dynamo machineby means of the binding-post E. F is an insulated stuiiporting-post, bearing at top a pulley, F, over which the strip of metal 0 passes. To the extremity of said strip 0, opposite to the drum, is attached a weight, G, suspended in a cistern or receptacle, H, holding mercury I. If desired, said cistern may contain any other conducting-fluid. At one side of the cistern is placed a tube, J, communicating therewith and provided with a numberofshunt-connections,K. Thecistern,tube, and sh unt-con nections I prefer to form of glass, although it is obvious that any other equivalent non-conducting material would answer quite as well. The height of the fluid in the cistern and tube is regulated by means of the plug L, fitting the interior of the cistern-piston tight and supported at bottom by the toothed shank M, operated by a pinion, N, upon shaft N, bearing button N.

P are the cups of a secondary battery. The

battery should be so constructed as to present a very large plate-surface, and may be formed in the manner Well known and understood by those skilled in the art to which my invention relates.

B are the connections between the cups of the battery and the shunt-connections K.

S are indicators, consisting of magnetized needles centeied upon a pivot, the pivot of each needle being wound with a-few turns of the wire which forms a part of each and every shunt. These needles will, when not-influenced by any other cause than terrestrial magnetism,

take a position upon a plane with the magnetic meridian; but should any lamp or lamps in the main line be thrown out of circuit, part of the currentwill be shunted, and the needles will be drawn from their normal position and take a stand at right angles, showing at a glance the state of the current.

The heating effect of an electric current is proportionate to the resistance of the conductor and to the square of the current which passes through it in a unit of time. Toapply this fact to my regulator, any increase of heat expands the strip of metal 0, the weight sinks into the mercury, and the column in tube J ascends, and as it is in the main circuit it shunts more or less of the current through the secondary battery by means of the insulated or shunt connections. The energy is then expended in charging the secondary battery, and the current being automatically equalized by the shunting of a portion of the generative current into the secondary, the operator in charge of the central office in which my indicator is located can at any time see the state of the current by simply consulting the indicators. The cups of the secondary battery, as they are charged, may be utilized for lighting incandescent lamps, or may be removed and used for various other purposes, other cups being substituted therefor. The currentfrom the secondary battery may be collected by asuitable commutator, \V, having connection with the battery at V V.

W is a double glass case or shade over the Strip of metal 0, to protect the same from atmospheric disturbances. The space between the cases is filled with a solution of alum or other equivalent substance to prevent the ra diation and convection of heat.

Having now fully described my invention, what Iclaim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an automatic regulator for electriclight systems, the combination, with a strip of metal and a liquid-displacing body, of a cistern containing mercury, or an equivalent conducting-fluid, and a series of shunts having communication with said cistern, substantially as and for the uses and purposes shown and described.

2. The combination of the strip of metal (3, weight G, conducting-fluid I, shunt-connections K, conductors R, and secondary battery P, the whole arranged to operate substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination, with the strip of metal 0, carrying shunting device, as described, of

the double case or shade, the space between the two portions of the shade being tilled with a solution of alum, or its equivalent, substantially as and for the uses and purposes shown and described.

4. In an automatic regulator for electriclight systems, the combination, with the strip of metal G and its displacing body, of the cistern containing a conductingrtluid having electrical connection with the cups of a removable secondary battery, substantially as shown and described.

5. The hereiirdcscribed method of equalizing the current upon the main circuit of an electric generator and preventing waste of electric energy, consisting in automatically shunting the main current through a secondary battery or batteries in proportions to correspond with the increase of current-strength in the main circuit.

6. The combination, substantially as described, of a main electric circuit containing lights or other apparatus, an electric generator for supplying a current thereto, a series of shunt-circuits containing secondary batteries, and an automatic circuit-closer for said shuntcircuits, the whole operating in the manner set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM L. "OELKER.

Witnesses:

F. W. HANAFORD, A. M. PIERCE. 

